My most shockingly, un-Disney moment - Courtesy of the DVC

[jana]

While there are some who fit the cat you describe it appears that most people who tour DVC have never toured other timeshares and have NO direct exposure to other timeshares though many have preconceived ideas without any factual basis

Dean, with the greatest respect, it doesn't matter if they have had "direct exposure" or that their preconceived ideas have any factual basis ( although I think most people agree that 1) most timeshares are high pressure and 2) most people don't like high pressure sales) the fact is those people would not tour ( or buy) a timeshare if they thought the process was going to be high pressure. There are very few people from the developed world that don't have some idea of timeshares and how their sales processes work. The very fact that you acknowledge many of the people that tour DVC have never toured another timeshare company underlines my point. They don't want anything to do with "regular" timeshare practices.

Buying a timeshare that doesn't make financial and practical sense is crazy. While there is a certain amount of emotion involved, I think most buyers for DVC (and others too) try to look at the specifics. That's not to say they do it well, most don't, such as using rack rates with DVC as a measuring stick for buying in.

And yet people buy timeshares ( and other luxury goods) that are not a good fit for them or their lifestyles ALL THE TIME. If you haven't worked it out yet, the world is FULL of crazy people LOL , why else would people pay thousands of dollars for a band of metal and a piece of heated and squeezed carbon that looks pretty. Compared to jewelry , a timeshare purchase for someone that only goes on vacation every 5 years looks positively sane LOL . The vast majority of the "decision makers" for DVC purchases are the women ( who generally have a higher emotional quota than men) of the families (even if it's just with "that look" ). The husbands find ways of justifying it ( which is why many of them have to stretch a bit to get there), but most husbands make DVC purchases to make their wives and kids happy ( emotion) , because it 1) makes them feel good (emotion) 2) they hope they will get some gratitude ( emotion) or 3) they're scared not to ( fear is a strong emotion )

DVC needs to shift to being more aggressive in terms of sales (including sales tours) which they can do and still maintain every bit of professionalism that those who see Disney as some type of utopia think is appropriate.

I agree Disney can do a lot more to raise awareness , but I think you underestimate the "pain threshold" of Disney fans. It's the people that see Disney as "some type of Utopia" that keep Disney afloat on a cloud of smoke,mirrors, hope and pixie dust. If DVC alienates them, by dragging them kicking and screaming into the "real world", it's not just DVC that loses their business. DVC needs to understand it's place in the grand scheme of things. Both inside Disney and in the timeshare world.

There are many ways to become more aggressive with sales than simply a high pressure tour.

I agree, and many of them would fall under accepted "Disney" practices, so lets start with them FIRST and see how we go from there.

Having lower than possible sales has a real and negative affect on current and future members.

I also agree , however timeshare hawkers pounding main street in the Magic Kingdom has a very real and negative affect on current and future visitors to Walt Disney World.

We'll have to disagree because I think the specific approaches and not targeted market will be the major factor in success or failure. DVC has seemed to advertise a little more with HI than others but I don't think that alone will be enough, we'll see. HI in general has already had two major economic downturns related to their dependence on Japanese activity

Trust me, LOL, I'm not saying it's a great idea to be reliant on the Japanese, however with the money that has been spent on a HUGE Japanese sales centre (2-3 times the size of those in the US Malls) DVC appears to be going that route. I think we are in agreement it's another dangerous gamble, we will indeed see if it was a foolish one or a stroke of genius ( or maybe just dumb luck) .


I'll summarize my key point.

If DVC becomes "non Disney" and too "timesharey" they run the risk of losing what it is that gives them an edge over their competition. That will mean less sales of DVC but more importantly to Disney as a whole it will mean, that for many of it's largest financial spenders, there is a large and highly visible carbuncle on the public face of Walt Disney World. People won't just take offense at "the timeshare division" within Disney, they will take offense at the whole Disney entity. IMHO that is an unnecessary ( for now) and dangerous risk. As you point out there are many other , less risky, options to try first.

 

[Dean]

We'll likely never agree on much of anything but I've enjoyed the discussion.

Dean, with the greatest respect, it doesn't matter if they have had "direct exposure" or that their preconceived ideas have any factual basis ( although I think most people agree that 1) most timeshares are high pressure and 2) most people don't like high pressure sales) the fact is those people would not tour ( or buy) a timeshare if they thought the process was going to be high pressure. There are very few people from the developed world that don't have some idea of timeshares and how their sales processes work. The very fact that you acknowledge many of the people that tour DVC have never toured another timeshare company underlines my point. They don't want anything to do with "regular" timeshare practices.

I disagree but that's beside the point. The issue at hand is how to get the most total sales even more than the closing % and possibly, how to do so by adhering to a higher standard of conduct. The way to get the most sales is to get the most people to tour, the way to make the most sales, is high pressure. That the specific technique might turn some off or lose a few sales doesn't matter unto itself if you meet the other goals. That some are ill informed and make decisions on such poor info is on them.

And yet people buy timeshares ( and other luxury goods) that are not a good fit for them or their lifestyles ALL THE TIME. If you haven't worked it out yet, the world is FULL of crazy people LOL , why else would people pay thousands of dollars for a band of metal and a piece of heated and squeezed carbon that looks pretty. Compared to jewelry , a timeshare purchase for someone that only goes on vacation every 5 years looks positively sane LOL . The vast majority of the "decision makers" for DVC purchases are the women ( who generally have a higher emotional quota than men) of the families (even if it's just with "that look" ). The husbands find ways of justifying it ( which is why many of them have to stretch a bit to get there), but most husbands make DVC purchases to make their wives and kids happy ( emotion) , because it 1) makes them feel good (emotion) 2) they hope they will get some gratitude ( emotion) or 3) they're scared not to ( fear is a strong emotion )

I don't have to go any further than this site to figure out that some are out of touch, make poor choices, etc. As to the speculation about the rest, I don't know and I don't think it matters much in the discussion of methods of sales strategies as it's the same for everyone.

I agree Disney can do a lot more to raise awareness , but I think you underestimate the "pain threshold" of Disney fans. It's the people that see Disney as "some type of Utopia" that keep Disney afloat on a cloud of smoke,mirrors, hope and pixie dust. If DVC alienates them, by dragging them kicking and screaming into the "real world", it's not just DVC that loses their business. DVC needs to understand it's place in the grand scheme of things. Both inside Disney and in the timeshare world.

We'll have to simply disagree on the importance of each group.

I agree, and many of them would fall under accepted "Disney" practices, so lets start with them FIRST and see how we go from there.

Acceptable to whom, you, me or DVD. That's a large part of my point, it's really the acceptability to Disney itself and DVD that's important and that translates back to sales in large part and to the fact that past methods have been failures when the parks were not there to support the method.

I also agree , however timeshare hawkers pounding main street in the Magic Kingdom has a very real and negative affect on current and future visitors to Walt Disney World.

That's just it, there is a LONG way between a gauntlet of sharks and where we are now and there is a lot of room to change without creating the fiasco you reference to the point that even referencing the concern is an unreasonable step, IMO.

Trust me, LOL, I'm not saying it's a great idea to be reliant on the Japanese, however with the money that has been spent on a HUGE Japanese sales centre (2-3 times the size of those in the US Malls) DVC appears to be going that route. I think we are in agreement it's another dangerous gamble, we will indeed see if it was a foolish one or a stroke of genius ( or maybe just dumb luck) .

We don't know that that's a major part of the plan though it's reasonable to be a part of it. If it's that plus status quo, I predict it will fail.

If DVC becomes "non Disney" and too "timesharey" they run the risk of losing what it is that gives them an edge over their competition. That will mean less sales of DVC but more importantly to Disney as a whole it will mean, that for many of it's largest financial spenders, there is a large and highly visible carbuncle on the public face of Walt Disney World. People won't just take offense at "the timeshare division" within Disney, they will take offense at the whole Disney entity. IMHO that is an unnecessary ( for now) and dangerous risk. As you point out there are many other , less risky, options to try first.

IMO the only real edge is the park connection. Others are just as flexible, others do professional sales methods. DVD's methods were failures at all off property options to date.

 

[jana]

We'll likely never agree on much of anything but I've enjoyed the discussion.

You'd be surprised and I've enjoyed it as well.

That's just it, there is a LONG way between a gauntlet of sharks and where we are now and there is a lot of room to change without creating the fiasco you reference to the point that even referencing the concern is an unreasonable step, IMO.

That particular "fiasco" has already come and gone (for now) . No one got fired or reprimanded for it.
Sadly , during the days of the group presentation at the Magic Kingdom, there were indeed often OPCs on the steps to Tony's restaurant ( on Main Street) 15 minutes before "show time" , trying to wrangle up some takers with a " come see our 30 minute show ( not true it was an hour minimum) and we'll give you fast passes for the rest of the day ( not true it's 3 rides ) " My friends at guest relations told me there were a number of complaints from guests who had no idea they were being taken into a timeshare presentation ( the most common phrase was " in the Magic Kingdom OF ALL PLACES" ) , but nothing ever seemed to change until the midday DVC "show" was closed when the BLT sales centre opened. You can believe or not believe, but I can assure you it happened and it happened often.

DVC is sales, and sales people if left unchecked and unregulated will ALWAYS push the envelope.

 

[Dean]

You'd be surprised and I've enjoyed it as well.
That particular "fiasco" has already come and gone (for now) . No one got fired or reprimanded for it.
Sadly , during the days of the group presentation at the Magic Kingdom, there were indeed often OPCs on the steps to Tony's restaurant ( on Main Street) 15 minutes before "show time" , trying to wrangle up some takers with a " come see our 30 minute show ( not true it was an hour minimum) and we'll give you fast passes for the rest of the day ( not true it's 3 rides ) " My friends at guest relations told me there were a number of complaints from guests who had no idea they were being taken into a timeshare presentation ( the most common phrase was " in the Magic Kingdom OF ALL PLACES" ) , but nothing ever seemed to change until the midday DVC "show" was closed when the BLT sales centre opened. You can believe or not believe, but I can assure you it happened and it happened often.

DVC is sales, and sales people if left unchecked and unregulated will ALWAYS push the envelope.

I think that's likely where our disconnect lies. The situation you describe from the early days was really nothing and would not qualify as even close to high pressure or offensive overall, IMO. Try heading to MX or even HI and walking down the street. In MX you can't even get out of the airports without running a gauntlet and you can't go into WM or a grocery store without being solicited for a tour from the "employees" there..

I sat through a sales presentation at a resort we own in MX a few years ago. MY wife and daughter we also there. We had bought this one resale for a fraction of the sales price and when you check in they essentially require you to sign up for an "owner's update" so they can go over what you own and make sure you understand it. I generally enjoy them if not too long or bad but my wife doesn't even for one's like DVC. The salesman went through the entire thing and only then did he bother to find out we had bought resale. He proceeded to tell us that we didn't have even the most basic of options since we'd bought resale. I knew better but I could tell my wife and daughter were taking him seriously. I even started laughing out loud at the table. When we left, I only made it to the foyer before my wife was cornering me as to why I was laughing. I told her the truth, that it was all BS, and they were falling for it. Needless to say we got all the benefits and discounts he said we wouldn't.

 

[jana]

I think that's likely where our disconnect lies. The situation you describe from the early days was really nothing and would not qualify as even close to high pressure or offensive overall, IMO

You're correct ( see we often agree ) on where our disconnect is. Just to clarify, this isn't a long ago event. This was over a 2 year period 1-3 years ago, not an "early days" event . While it may not be offensive to you Dean , you obviously are well educated in the "tricks and techniques" of the timeshare world and have the brains and fortitude to defend against them. Many are not. It shouldn't be judged on " is it offensive to me/all" but " is it offensive to a sizable minority" . Personally I think it would be more than half of Disney's guests would be offended, but if I'm running a business, I'd be concerned if I offended/alienated even 5-10% of my core client base.

I think ultimately our "disconnect" comes from where we approach the issue. I am approaching this from what is best for Disney as a whole and you approach it from what is acceptable in the timeshare world. This month there was a survey/study released ( http://www.interbrand.com ) of the top 100 brands worldwide. Disney came in 9th . There was no other hospitality company named in the top 100. NOT ONE , no Marriott , no Hilton, none. The income that is generated by that level of "brand loyalty" plus the time,effort and money involved to build up that level of "brand loyalty" is almost beyond measure. We can agree or disagree on whether DVC may increase sales and if that increase in sales also increases profits at a reasonable rate. But even if I were to concede it does increase DVCs profits by $ 10s of millions of dollars ( and I don't) , that's peanuts compared to the $billions that Disney as a whole generates , most of it from that "trust of Brand" . Anything , ANYTHING that risks losing or tarnishing that brand loyalty is , IMHO, simply too great a risk to take.

I'm a Disney girl that LOVES Disney , I like DVC and I intensely dislike the way most "regular" timeshares operate. I cried when I stayed at BLT and woke up at 2 am, looked out of my window and saw Cinderella's castle lit up, I often tear up when I walk into the MK. It is my escape from the harshness and realities of "the real world" and there are millions like me. I will fight to keep my little piece of sanctuary free from overt commercialism. Because if it changes, Disney will lose a hell of a lot more than it gains from a few million $ in increased DVC sales.

Dean, I respectfully ask that you step outside the tough exterior that you have. The one that finds amusement in someone trying to bamboozle or "put one over on you" and look at this from the aspect of those not able to deflect and ride through those situations. Try to show as much EQ ( Emotional intelligence) as you have IQ ( ok you're a guy, I'll accept half as much EQ as your IQ , I know all guys struggle on the EQ front) and realize that there are literally millions of people that being treated like that has a huge negative impact on their day, week ,vacation. It makes them feel dirty and abused. For me, if I were hustled in the MK, I'd dwell on it and it would spoil my day. It would completely destroy my reason for going in the first place. Why spend a couple of hundred $ and not get what you want from the experience? I might as well stay at home and swell the bank balance of Baskin and Robbins or Ben and Jerries. You get an AWFUL LOT OF ICE CREAM for what a day in the parks costs .

 

[nytimez]

Just another voice to say I got the no-pressure experience when I bought, and it was a huge (positive) factor.

I didn't do the tour, though. However, early on, I was honest with my guide that I wasn't sure I was ready, etc. etc. He sent me info, never called unless I called first, and was in general very patient and the complete opposite of everything I've heard about the usual timeshare experience, and some of the recent stories here on the Dis.

The one bit of good news from this is my guide is apparently some kind of bigshot within DVC sales now -- he's no longer my guide, because he's no longer a guide, but a manager. And hopefully, his approach is what he is passing down as a manager.

 

[Dean]

You're correct ( see we often agree ) on where our disconnect is. Just to clarify, this isn't a long ago event. This was over a 2 year period 1-3 years ago, not an "early days" event . While it may not be offensive to you Dean , you obviously are well educated in the "tricks and techniques" of the timeshare world and have the brains and fortitude to defend against them. Many are not. It shouldn't be judged on " is it offensive to me/all" but " is it offensive to a sizable minority" . Personally I think it would be more than half of Disney's guests would be offended, but if I'm running a business, I'd be concerned if I offended/alienated even 5-10% of my core client base.

I think ultimately our "disconnect" comes from where we approach the issue. I am approaching this from what is best for Disney as a whole and you approach it from what is acceptable in the timeshare world. This month there was a survey/study released ( http://www.interbrand.com ) of the top 100 brands worldwide. Disney came in 9th . There was no other hospitality company named in the top 100. NOT ONE , no Marriott , no Hilton, none. The income that is generated by that level of "brand loyalty" plus the time,effort and money involved to build up that level of "brand loyalty" is almost beyond measure. We can agree or disagree on whether DVC may increase sales and if that increase in sales also increases profits at a reasonable rate. But even if I were to concede it does increase DVCs profits by $ 10s of millions of dollars ( and I don't) , that's peanuts compared to the $billions that Disney as a whole generates , most of it from that "trust of Brand" . Anything , ANYTHING that risks losing or tarnishing that brand loyalty is , IMHO, simply too great a risk to take.

I'm a Disney girl that LOVES Disney , I like DVC and I intensely dislike the way most "regular" timeshares operate. I cried when I stayed at BLT and woke up at 2 am, looked out of my window and saw Cinderella's castle lit up, I often tear up when I walk into the MK. It is my escape from the harshness and realities of "the real world" and there are millions like me. I will fight to keep my little piece of sanctuary free from overt commercialism. Because if it changes, Disney will lose a hell of a lot more than it gains from a few million $ in increased DVC sales.

Dean, I respectfully ask that you step outside the tough exterior that you have. The one that finds amusement in someone trying to bamboozle or "put one over on you" and look at this from the aspect of those not able to deflect and ride through those situations. Try to show as much EQ ( Emotional intelligence) as you have IQ ( ok you're a guy, I'll accept half as much EQ as your IQ , I know all guys struggle on the EQ front) and realize that there are literally millions of people that being treated like that has a huge negative impact on their day, week ,vacation. It makes them feel dirty and abused. For me, if I were hustled in the MK, I'd dwell on it and it would spoil my day. It would completely destroy my reason for going in the first place. Why spend a couple of hundred $ and not get what you want from the experience? I might as well stay at home and swell the bank balance of Baskin and Robbins or Ben and Jerries. You get an AWFUL LOT OF ICE CREAM for what a day in the parks costs .

The question to me is what's best for DVC, DVD and for the current and future DVC members as a whole as well as the appropriate BALANCE between sales and reputation. Nothing you've described would hurt the company (DVD, DVC or Disney in general) in my opinion and there's nothing I've seen from Disney that is institutional that would suggest high pressure or be offensive even to a significant minority. To be honest, it really doesn't matter if it offends some people, many people are too easily offended and you can't live your life worrying about it. You simply do the right thing as best you know and hold to your convictions, that's different that purposefully or unnecessarily offending people. Disney's very existence offends some people just like any variation from a given person's view of "What Would WALT DO" does as well. I think you've giving yourself too much credit when you say there are millions like you. I also think your view of the Mouse and what it would take to tarnish it is dramatically skewed. Still, I see MANY options and changes that could satisfy all areas and still increase sales.

Disney and DVC has made a lot of changes over the years that were far more risky than what you reference. We've had members on this site state that Disney wouldn't do a reallocation or institute a priority reservation system essentially for the type of reasons you suggest, they did. I'd also venture that their handling of the episodes where they had to move people from one resort to another (AKV concierge, AKV no animals savannah, BWV refurb) as well a the valet issue were all far greater risks than what we're discussing. In those situations they didn't handle ANY of them well (and should have) and their underlying decision making (outside of communication) was also inappropriate in some of those situations, probably all but the valet.

Do you truly know how other timeshare systems operate, or are you making assumptions from what you've seen/heard? I have a lot of experience with it and some of it is downright scary, not just offensive. However, one can't consider timeshare sales without at least considering the multitude of options available for sales in the timeshare world then picking the ones that fit best for a given system. Assuming the current DVC approach is the best is not realistic and IMO, would be downright incorrect. We'll agree that the aggressive Westgate, MX type of approach is not appropriate. It's not appropriate period, not because it's Disney, the fact it's Disney really should enter in to the concept of appropriate or not.

I think we agree that less than optimal sales has a negative effect on you and I as members and on the system we both love and that there are some real and tangible past negative effects to Disney's poor sales previously.

I have no problem looking at this from a Disney and DVC perspective. DVC was my first timeshare, first timeshare experience and my first love. While I am often idealistic, I am generally even more practical and I am committed to rules/laws as best I can because I feel without them leads to chaos. I don't think jaded would be accurate though.

I take offense at the idea that you or females in general have a better feel for what's right or wrong based on emotions, I don't see it being a gender thing at all. That said, IMO, emotion is only truly applicable to the degree that it affects sales and business long term. While YOU may be offended, I think you're an outlier in that area with the way I'm looking at this but you don't see yourself as an outlier. I think the positions we've both presented ARE outliers as far as the system is concerned and the other DVC members would interpret although it's really the actions of the other POTENTIAL DVC members that counts. The difference is, I realize I'm an outlier compared to other DVC members and feel it's due to their lack of understanding of other options, lack of foresight to the negative effects of poor sales and emotional over factual approach.

I'm sure when you see me talk about a shift your mind immediately jumps to the worst case scenario. That's a problem of not having a good overall knowledge/experience in this area because that couldn't be farther from the truth for my vision of changes they COULD make.

 

[gkrykewy]

I think that's likely where our disconnect lies. The situation you describe from the early days was really nothing and would not qualify as even close to high pressure or offensive overall, IMO. Try heading to MX or even HI and walking down the street. In MX you can't even get out of the airports without running a gauntlet and you can't go into WM or a grocery store without being solicited for a tour from the "employees" there..

Oh man, Mexico is THE WORST. You have to literally run a gauntlet of timeshare tables pretending to be other, legitimate things before you can leave the aiport. They will tell you anything to get you to sign up for a presentation. I did take $400 cash to sign up for a presentation at our resort, so I suppose at the end of the day I can't complain, but the whole experience was not relaxing in the slightest.

 

[Dean]

Oh man, Mexico is THE WORST. You have to literally run a gauntlet of timeshare tables pretending to be other, legitimate things before you can leave the aiport. They will tell you anything to get you to sign up for a presentation. I did take $400 cash to sign up for a presentation at our resort, so I suppose at the end of the day I can't complain, but the whole experience was not relaxing in the slightest.

Not only that, $400 often ends up being 400 peso.

 

[mch04049]

I apologize in advance, but I need to vent about our most shockingly, un-Disney moment ever…

Short background: DW and I are long-time Disney fans with 2 to 3 trips a year and we even both met while we were both cast members at WDW on the College Program years ago. 2-3 months ago we decided to take a serious look at DVC retail & resale from home and went with a 150-point SSR resale that is currently in the closing process.

We visited WDW for Labor Day weekend and had another wonderful trip until we decided we would stop by Saratoga Springs before we headed back home on Monday. We wanted check out the resort and also stop by the preview center to see if we could look at the room models as we purchased our resale sight-unseen from home. This is where things turned shockingly ugly.

We went up to the lady at the podium and were very upfront and honest with her. We told her that we were in the process of closing on a resale contract (closing this week and should be in the Disney system as DVC members next week) and just wondered if we could take a peek at the room models as we had never seen them before. The lady was very nice and explained that the only way to see the models was to go on the tour which we understood and were ready to go on our way, but she INSISTED that we go on the tour anyways. She said that the guide could tell us a little more about DVC, show us the models, would keep it short, and it would be no problem and we agreed.

Everything seemed ok when we went inside and were told to wait in the reception area of the preview center. It took over 15 minutes, but a guide came out to see us who had already been told about what we wanted to do. I won’t mention his or her name out of respect for the board rules, but this individual absolutely shocked us. The guide asked us a few questions about us and our resale and then went on a tirade about our purchase decision and Saratoga Springs within earshot of everyone else waiting!

The guide told us that we made a “bad investment” that we would be “disappointed with” and proceeded with many un-truths and half-truths. Specifically:

• The reason we were able to get such a good price on SSR resale is that “no one wants the resort” and that it is the “worst resort is the DVC system”! The guide even mentioned that it’s so bad that “even Disney won’t buy them back and that’s why we were able to get it resale”
• We should have purchased something like Bay Lake Tower from them as BLT will appreciate in value 20% or so in the next few years and I’ll be lucky to get 50% of what I paid for SSR in the same time frame!
• We also made a mistake because we didn’t take into account the cheaper dues at a resort like BLT
• We should have taken into account that SSR is “old” and we would get many more years of use out of BLT

We couldn’t believe this. Obviously, there are many half-truths and un-truths in his statements and some other comments the guide made, but we could only muster responses of “ok” as we were so totally shocked! We were just completely in aw that this was happening at Disney by someone employed by Disney! This came out of nowhere too as we hadn’t asked the guide for their input or opinion on our decision. I guess the guide had just decided he or she was angry about us buying resale and wanted to try to make us feel bad about out decision? After the tirade was over, we managed to explain that we arrived at the decision as SSR resale was the best way DVC would work for us (vacation style and budget) and told the guide we just were interested in seeing the models (as we had already explained). The guide told us ok, and would find someone to take us through.

I guess out of spite, they made us wait another 20 minutes. I wanted to leave but DW said that we shouldn’t give them the satisfaction due to the way they treated us and that made sense to me. I’m not sure if the person they relegated the task to was even a guide, but thankfully he was very nice. He took us through all the models and was courteous to us. We expressed out thanks for taking the time to show us around and were ready to leave, but he said that his manager wanted to talk to us to apologize for our wait (which we found odd as we hadn’t mention or complained about our wait to anyone).

We should have known better as all the manager wanted to do was make sure he couldn’t sell us direct. The manager arrived with an attitude and didn’t apologize for the wait or even introduce himself and just said “I heard you wanted to cut your tour short because you were purchasing resale, but I couldn’t find you in the DVC system.” We explained that from the beginning we had just asked to see the models and mentioned that the contract was in the middle of closing. The manager just said “ok, just wanted to make sure you had the contract you thought you had - you can go then” and showed us the door.

Obviously, we were very upset with the guide and the manager's behavior. DW is especially upset and is writing a letter to Disney about the experiences. But I guess I would pass along these observations and advice:

• I know these two individuals don’t represent all of DVC, but, unfortunately, I would be extremely cautious of asking a guide for anything if they know there is no chance it will result in a sale
• Be cautious of the guides in general – much as you would a car salesman or a timeshare salesman at another company. Despite Disney claims, my personal experience has taught me that they are really no different than those of any other company.
• Lastly, interestingly enough, the guide never threw in anything about resale members being treated differently than retail members now or in the future as was mentioned in another thread. I would think that would have been included in his tirade if those rumored changes were true.

For those of you that actually read all of this, thank you for letting me vent!!! It was obviously a very disappointing Disney experience, but we won’t let it ruin Disney for us or the excitement we have surrounding our recently purchased resale.

Thats funny because they were selling Saratoga Springs Resort just last month when I checked there DVC site out and chatted with a cast member and asked what incentives they had. It surprised me that they were selling SSR, AK, BLT the later of the two had incentive while SSR had none.

 

[CarmenPeteron]

Sorry for your bad experience. They are not all bad eggs. The DVC sales person was very patient with us and very low key. I think it would be important to send a letter and let their bosses know how they behaved. These employees are not a asset to WDW.